In support of the recent World Book Day’s 25th anniversary, Royal Mail unveiled four special postboxes across the United Kingdom to celebrate the four nations’ authors and illustrators.
The postboxes each have their own design using special anniversary artwork by World Book Day illustrator Allen Fatimahara. They are adorned in lines from books by authors such as Greg James, Chris Smith, Nadiya Hussain, Dara McAnulty and Martin Waddell with images from the likes of Harry Potter cover illustrator Jonny Duddle.
They are located across the United Kingdom in Luton (England), Nannerch, Flintshire (Wales), Dundee (Scotland) and Castlewellan (Northern Ireland), close to places of significance to the writers or their work.
In Luton, the postbox features images and quotes from:
- Greg James and Chris Smith, previous £1 book World Book Day authors, known for their Kid Normal book series and The Great Dream Robbery;
- Nadiya Hussain, a chef, TV presenter and the author of several books, including World Book Day’s 2018 £1 book Bake Me a Story; and
- this year’s World Book Day £1 book author Sharna Jackson and illustrator Wumi Olaosebikan, who worked on Peak Peril.
In Nannerch, the postbox features images and quotes from Jonny Duddle, the illustrator for some of the Harry Potter book covers and author of World Book Day’s 2021 £1 book Gigantosaurus: Dino Spot, and Lesley Parr, the author of The Valley of Lost Secrets and When the War Came Home.
In Dundee, the postbox features images and quotes from World Book Day author for 2018 Pamela Butchart, with The Baby Brother from Outer Space!; author Lari Don and illustrator Eilidh Muldoon of Fierce, Fearless and Free; and Michelle Sloan, a children’s writer whose work includes Greyfriars Bobby: A Puppy’s Tale.
In Castlewellan, the postbox features images and quotes from teenage author Dara McAnulty and his book Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature and Diary of a Young Naturalist; Martin Waddell, a writer of children’s books such as the Owl Babies and Little Bear series; Sophie Kirtley, a children’s author whose work includes The Wild Way Home; and Kelly McCaughrain, a young adult author of books such as Flying Tips for Flightless Birds.
Royal Mail also celebrated World Book Day with a special postmark featuring the 25th anniversary message.